As I was thinking about this week’s gospel reading the other day, I was reminded of a story in which a girl asked her Sunday school teacher a question. “Why did it take the Magi so long to find the baby Jesus,” shewondered. “That’s easy,” said the teacher. “It was three MEN who were traveling, and they never thought to ask anyone for directions!”

I too have been known to have that problem – on more than one occasion. But over these last weeks, I’ve been impressed by the fact that assistance is quickly forthcoming at St. Mark’s when it’s requested. This happy reality has helped make my first few months here both pleasant and productive.

Important assistance has come from many corners. Two Saturdays ago, Tom and Dick did a great job of putting our new signs in place the day after I picked them up – even in the rain! Yesterday, Ralph helped review the website and identified some ways it can be updated and improved. And the work of the “Transition Support Team” has also been especially important over this last while. The members of this group – Grace, Ralph, Nancy, Angie, Lora, Joyce and Bonnie – were part of the Search Committee
you established last year to look for a new minister. Their explorations led them to me – and we had several fruitful conversations last spring about what a year of “interim ministry” might look like and how we might develop a faithful and realistic ministry plan for the church’s future. An initial approach was agreed to, and I asked if a few people might be willing to be part of an “advisory team” that would offer some advice and help keep this process on track. “We can do that,” everyone said. And they’ve all done it very very well!
In the near future, you’ll receive a further update about this piece of work and where we’re at. Meanwhile, let’s all give thanks for the helpful spirit that abides here at St. Mark’s, and our part to keep it strong!